Issue - meetings

Councillors Not Seeking Re-Election

The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting before the Council Elections on 3 May 2012 and that Councillors Owen Brady, John Gibson, Thomas Glover, Anthony Hill, Geoff Howe and Brenda Porter would not be seeking re-election and he indicated that:

• Councillor Glover had served on Sefton Council for 39 years, since the formation of the Council in 1973 and prior to that for 11 years on Southport County Borough Council;

• Councillor Brady had served on Sefton Council for 33 years and prior to that for 12 years on Litherland Urban District Council and 5 years on Merseyside County Council;

• Councillor Hill had served on Sefton Council for 25 years and was Mayor of Sefton in 2001/02;

• Councillors Howe and Porter had both served on Sefton Council for 12 years; and

• Councillor Gibson had served on Sefton Council for 8 years.

On behalf of the Council, The Mayor thanked those Members for their dedicated service to the people of Sefton over a number of years and extended best wishes to them for the future.

Councillors Brady, Glover and Hill thanked the Council for the best wishes extended to them and for the support and friendship extended to them by Members and Officers during their time as Members of the Council.

Councillor P. Dowd paid tribute to the local government service given by Councillor Brady and in particular to his service to the Labour Party over 62 years.

Councillor Griffiths paid tribute to the service given by Councillor Porter and read out a message of appreciation from her for the support and friendship extended to her by Members and Officers during her time as a Member of the Council.

Councillor Parry paid tribute to the service given by Councillors Glover, Hill and Porter; Councillor Robertson paid tribute to the service given by Councillors Hill, Howe and Gibson; Councillor Tonkiss paid tribute to the service given by Councillor Hill; and Councillor Sir Ron Watson paid tribute to the service given by Councillor Glover.

Fairtrade Borough Status

The Mayor reported that the Council had been successful in its application for the renewal of "Fairtrade Borough Status.

The Sefton Fairtrade Group is represented by members of the Community, representatives of each Political Group and Officers. There are currently 73 retail outlets and 35 catering outlets within Sefton selling a host of Fairtrade products across the borough, and on behalf of the Council, the Mayor extended congratulations to all concerned with the renewal of the Fairtrade status.

Mayor of Sefton’s Charity Ball Update

The Mayor reported that the Charity Ball final income figure after expenditure had now been completed and that the total of £11,315.40 had been raised on the night, which was a record for the Mayor's Charity Ball. He extended his thanks to all who had contributed or supported in any way to the successful event.